London Eye, River Cruise and Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

The clever part of this London package is the change of viewpoint: you get a wide city panorama from the London Eye, then see landmarks from the Thames and street level on the bus. It gives you a practical way to get your bearings without planning every transfer yourself.

I like two things in particular: the mix of bus, boat, and Eye makes the day feel varied, and a 24- or 48-hour bus option gives you room to spread out the sightseeing. The main catch is that the London Eye needs its own time slot, and leaving that step too late can disrupt your plan.

• Three ways to see London: Combine the Eye, a one-way Thames cruise, and a Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket.
• Pick your bus duration: Package choices include 24-hour and 48-hour options.
• Plan the Eye first: Select your visit date and time through the booking portal.
• Cruise from four piers: Board at Tower Pier, Greenwich Pier, Westminster Pier, or London Eye Pier.
• Expect route-specific schedules: Red and blue buses run every 10 to 20 minutes; the green link runs every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Allow time for ticket steps: The cruise ticket and London Eye ticket each need to be downloaded and validated or selected separately.

A useful first-day plan, not an all-in-one London pass

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This is a practical bundle for seeing the city from above, along the river, and from an open-top tour bus. It is especially handy if you are new to London and want a broad orientation before choosing which sights deserve a longer visit.

Keep the package’s scope clear. The included attractions are standard admission to the London Eye, a Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket, and a one-way Thames cruise. The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life London Aquarium are examples of other London attractions, not part of this package.

That distinction matters when comparing prices. The advertised starting price varies by package and date: the general offer is shown from $88.45, while the listed 24-hour and 48-hour options start from $80.39. Check the price for your chosen date and ticket length before booking. The value depends on using the bus and cruise as well as visiting the Eye, not simply on buying the Eye ticket in a bundle.

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Start with the London Eye and its time slot

The London Eye is the visual anchor of the package. From its capsules, you get a broad view over central London and the Thames, which can help you understand how the landmarks fit together before you start moving around the city. On a clear day, the view is the main event; on a grey day, it still gives you a useful sense of scale, though distant details may be less clear.

Standard entry is included. The Eye’s listed opening hours are 11:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday, and 10:00 to 20:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Hours can change, so check the current schedule and the time you select before setting your day around it.

There is one important booking wrinkle: after purchase, use the booking portal to choose your Eye date and time and download your ticket. If you do not select a slot in advance, your preferred time may no longer be available. If the ticket is not downloaded, the instructions say to show your booking confirmation to Big Bus staff before going to the Eye. Eye staff may not be able to sort out the package ticket for you, so handle this step before arriving.

The Eye includes an audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. That adds context to the view, particularly if you are trying to match visible landmarks with their names and stories. Bring your own plan for what to do afterward: the package does not include meals, drinks, or other personal expenses.

Use the Big Bus to connect the sights

A hop-on hop-off bus is most useful when you treat it as both transport and orientation. Ride a stretch to see how central London is laid out, then get off when a stop suits your plans. It can save you from working out every route on your first day, but it is not a shortcut past London traffic. Build in slack rather than scheduling each stop to the minute.

The package includes a 24-hour ticket, with a 48-hour choice also listed. Check which option you are buying, since the duration changes how much freedom you have to split the sightseeing across days. The red and blue routes are listed as running every 10 to 20 minutes, while the green link runs every 30 to 60 minutes. The route durations are given as 2 hours 30 minutes for the red route, 3 hours 30 minutes for the blue route, and 1 hour 10 minutes for the green link.

Those are useful planning figures, not a promise that every ride will take exactly that long. If you stay aboard for a full route, you can get a broad overview; if you hop off often, the day will take longer. The listed operating hours are 08:00 to 18:00 for the red and blue routes, and 08:45 to 19:00 for the green link. Download the free Big Bus Tours app for live routes, times, and a digital map. One package user found the app troublesome, so it is sensible to download it before the day and keep your voucher details handy.

You get complimentary earphones and free Wi-Fi on board. The package also lists four guided walking tours, but these are not included: the Royal Walk, Hidden Gems of the City of London, Hidden Gems of Westminster, and Jack the Ripper. The London Evening Tour is excluded too. Do not count on these extras unless you arrange them separately.

Take the Thames cruise for a different view

The included boat trip is a one-way River Thames cruise, not an unlimited river pass. You can board at Tower Pier, Greenwich Pier, Westminster Pier, or London Eye Pier, and departures are listed every 50 minutes. That gives you several ways to fit the boat into your day, but check which pier and direction best match your plans before setting off.

From the river, the city’s landmarks appear in sequence rather than as stops on a map. It is a calmer change of pace after the bus, and the boat gives you a different angle on the riverside skyline. The cruise is particularly useful when you want to travel between areas while still sightseeing, rather than treating the journey as dead time.

There is a separate ticket step here too. After buying the package, visit the booking portal to download your City Cruises ticket. Before boarding, validate the mobile or printed ticket with staff at a City Cruises booth. The cruise may be easy to combine with the Eye if you use London Eye Pier, but do not assume the boat’s departure will line up with your Eye slot. Check the timing and leave room for the ticket validation process.

Because the cruise is one-way, think of it as one leg in your plan. It will not return you to the starting pier unless you arrange your onward travel separately. This is a small detail with a big effect if you have a tight schedule.

Build a day around the three parts

For a straightforward first-day itinerary, begin by securing the Eye time you want. Then use the bus to get an overview or travel toward a convenient pier, and fit the cruise around its departure schedule. The order is flexible, but the Eye is the least flexible piece because it uses a chosen time slot.

If you have the 24-hour option, resist the urge to cram in every stop. Use the bus to connect a few areas, take the cruise as a scenic transfer, and leave enough time to enjoy the Eye without rushing. With the 48-hour ticket, you can spread out the bus sightseeing, which is appealing if you want a slower pace or have other plans on one of the days.

The ticket is valid only on the selected date, and the package details say to present your mobile voucher. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount; children aged 0 to 3 are free, and those aged 16 or older pay the adult rate. The activity is listed as stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, though the specific needs of your party are worth confirming with the operator before you go.

What the price buys, and where the value lies

The package’s appeal is convenience as much as cost. You get an Eye admission, a bus ticket, and a river cruise in one purchase, so you avoid buying each core activity separately. Several customers found the bundle good value, and some described using it for a full day of sightseeing. That value is strongest if you actually ride the bus and take the cruise, rather than buying the bundle and using only the Eye.

The two bus durations give you a meaningful choice. The 24-hour ticket suits a compact visit when you want an overview and a few planned stops. The 48-hour option costs more only if the date-specific price says so, but it can make the pace less frantic and give you more chances to use the bus. Compare the displayed prices for both versions and the individual tickets before deciding.

The package is not a pass to every attraction named in the general promotional description. The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life London Aquarium are separate attractions. If any of those are priorities, budget for them separately or compare this bundle with an attraction pass that covers the places you want.

Small snags to avoid

The main risk is treating the voucher as one simple ticket for three activities. In practice, you need to manage the Eye time selection, download the City Cruises ticket, and use the Big Bus voucher or app for the bus. Take care of those steps before you arrive, and save the relevant tickets on your phone. A mobile screenshot worked for one customer, but the stated redemption instructions call for the mobile voucher and separate downloaded attraction tickets.

The app deserves a quick check before you leave your hotel. One person had an app issue that took two days to resolve, while another found the app easy to use. That contrast is a good reason to have a backup: keep your booking confirmation accessible and ask Big Bus staff for help if the Eye ticket is missing. One customer also found that getting assistance from staff or a bus driver helped with the Eye ticket, while Eye staff could not resolve that package issue.

A separate comment says bus reservations were needed, but the package details do not set out a reservation rule. Check the current instructions in the Big Bus app or booking portal for your date rather than assuming you can simply arrive and board. This is especially wise if your schedule is tight.

Who should book this London combo

I would consider this package if you are visiting London for the first time, want an easy overview, and like the idea of changing modes rather than spending the day on buses alone. Families may also appreciate having several headline activities bundled together, though you will still need to plan around the Eye slot and the cruise departure.

It is less suited to someone who prefers to explore entirely on foot, already knows the city’s transport system, or wants a flexible boat ticket with unlimited stops. The cruise is one-way, and the bus follows set routes and hours. If you want to visit several paid attractions in depth, compare this package with a pass that includes those specific admissions.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the London Eye, a Big Bus ticket, and a Thames cruise, and you are willing to sort out the separate ticket steps in advance. Choose 48 hours if a slower pace matters more than squeezing everything into one day. If you only want the Eye, or your main priorities are the Tower of London and other attractions not included here, compare alternatives before paying for a bundle you may not use.

FAQ

What is included in this package?

It includes standard admission to the London Eye, a Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket, and a one-way Thames River cruise. Complimentary earphones and onboard Wi-Fi are also listed.

Can I choose a 24-hour or 48-hour bus ticket?

Yes. Package options are listed with both 24-hour and 48-hour Big Bus tickets. Check the option and price for your selected date before booking.

Do I need to choose a time for the London Eye?

Yes. After purchase, use the booking portal to select your visit date and time and download the Eye ticket. Your preferred slot may not be available if you wait.

Where can I board the Thames cruise?

The listed boarding points are Tower Pier, Greenwich Pier, Westminster Pier, and London Eye Pier.

How often does the Thames cruise depart?

The listed frequency is every 50 minutes.

Is the Thames cruise one-way or round-trip?

The package includes a one-way cruise.

How often do the Big Bus routes run?

The red and blue routes run every 10 to 20 minutes. The green link runs every 30 to 60 minutes.

Are the Tower of London and Tower Bridge included?

No. They are separate attractions, not part of the London Eye, bus, and cruise package.

Are children charged for this activity?

Children aged 0 to 3 are free, but infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 16 and older are charged the adult rate.

Is the activity wheelchair- and stroller-accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as stroller- and wheelchair-accessible.